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 National Automation Services, Inc. (NASV.PK) Using Strong Foundation to Grow National Network
The strength of National Automation Services Inc., nationally known provider of industrial controls and automation solutions, rests largely in the scope of its technical capabilities. The company specializes in custom controls, industrial automation, and systems integration, covering a remarkably diverse range of industries and applications. The technical services they provide are equally diverse, including:
• Scada and PLC Programming
• Radio Telemetry Studies
• Project Management
• Engineering and Design
• AutoCAD
• Field Service & Training
• Custom Panel Fabrication
• UL-508 & UL-698 Certified
They can do this because of the breadth of human and technical resources they have at their disposal.
• Certified Modicon Programmable Logic Controller Instructors
• Automation Application Engineers
• Danfoss Motion Specialist
• Allen-Bradley Systems Engineer
• Process Sales Engineer
• Automation Managers
• Siemens Solution Provider
• General Electric Fanuc
As a result, their industrial base has expanded in scope, and now encompasses almost every major industry, including automotive, chemical, electronics, food and beverage, metals, mining, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, transportation, water and wastewater processing, and many more. Their customer list contains Coca-Cola, Chevron, Motorola, Honeywell, Southwest Airlines, TRW, and a host of other large and small commercial and governmental organizations.
And now the company has made clear its intention to gradually acquire the best regional players in the controls field, centralizing administrative functions to increase operational efficiencies while allowing members to maintain a regional focus. The goal is a cost effective and flexible nationwide network that can better address the increasing demand for sophisticated control solutions. National Automation has laid out a very specific set of numerical targets they feel they can make.
For more information, see the company’s website at www.NASAutomation.com.
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National Automation Services, Inc. (NASV.OB) Thrives On Diversity
Even a partial client list for National Automation Services Inc, nationally known provider of industrial controls and automation solutions, gives an idea of the extensive diversity of the company’s potential applications. Virtually any industry that moves and processes materials of any kind is a target for NAS.
• Safeway
• Watson Pharmaceuticals
• Coca Cola Bottling
• City of Phoenix
• Meyers Bakeries
• Las Vegas Water District
• ON Semiconductors (spun off from Motorola)
• Weyerhauser
• Honeywell
• Alaska Marine Highway System
• Better Built Aluminum
• Chevron
• Southwest Airlines
• Pepsi Cola
• Western Mining & Minerals
• Mirage Hotel & Casino
The above companies may seem to have little in common, representing a diverse range of industries, but a brief look at a few of these NAS projects will show just how flexible the application of control technology can be.
• Southwest Airlines – NAS supports operations at the Las Vegas McCarran International Airport by maintaining the extensive baggage handling systems, utilizing dozens of controllers. Their scan array system examines baggage and automates the sorting, with a tie-in for bomb detection. NAS was recently asked by Southwest to support all of their operations throughout the western U.S.
• Honeywell Security Division – NAS manufactured various types of highly specialized control panels used by Honeywell for station security at remote locations on the Alaska pipeline, including some cabinets that require exposure to explosive materials.
• City Of Phoenix – NAS designed remote terminal units to deliver and meter reclaimed water to golf courses and parks, involving PLC programming and integration for tying totalized data back to the City of Phoenix Water Reclamation Plant.
• Western Mining & Minerals – NAS supports all of the automation and controls for the company’s St. George operations, including emergency and scheduled services of various plant instrumentation.
For more information, see the company’s website at www.NASAutomation.com.
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National Automation Services (NASV.PK) Takes On Mesquite
You may have never heard of Mesquite, Nevada, but it’s one of the fastest growing areas in the entire country. 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas, in the picturesque Virgin River Valley, Mesquite is becoming a major resort destination. One of its key advantages, noticed early on by developers, is its border location, just across the state line from both Arizona and Utah. And yet it’s right on Interstate 15, an easy drive to Las Vegas and Lake Meade in Nevada, as well as to magnificent Zion National Park in Utah.
With a full range of casinos, resorts, hotels, spas, golf courses, and other attractions, the city has managed to combine a small-town atmosphere with big-city attractions. Though still small, Mesquite has nearly doubled in population in the past 10 years, and chose National Automation Services (NASV.PK) to help address some of the challenges common with such explosive growth.
The Virgin Valley Water District serves the water processing needs of Mesquite and the nearby community of Bunkerville. NAS was called upon to help them comply with strict government water quality regulations by implementing an ambitious plan connecting 5 individual arsenic removal plant sites using advanced telemetry. NAS developed a high quality SCADA system for computerized and centralized process monitoring and control, with an easy to use graphical user interface, providing a cost effective and dependable solution. The result has been a highly maintainable operation, with reduced downtime and manpower requirements, saving the district both time and money, and ensuring the growing community the safest water supply.
Having served many of the biggest and most demanding companies in the country, NAS is even better able to offer its large client base of local municipalities the best technology and expertise available when it comes to water and waste water processing. The success of the Mesquite project is typical of the NAS experience, and explains the company’s positive and spreading reputation.
For more information, see the company’s website at www.NASAutomation.com.
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National Automation Services, Inc. (NASV.PK) is Looking for a Few Good Companies
National Automation Services could be satisfied to simply continue providing world-class process automation solutions to its customers in the western U.S. However, the company has made no secret of its higher ambitions. It has stated clear intentions to expand into other markets in the continental U.S., reducing its concentration in municipal water management and wastewater treatment. Specifically, they want to acquire select small to medium sized privately-held industrial application automation companies, becoming something of a central management hub for these local and regionally focused operations.
What kind of acquisition targets are they going after?
• Established business with a proven operating track record – They look for strong financial performance, positive operating results, a good backlog of contracts, preferably with a potential for positive operating cash flow. They also look at the talent within the management team and staff.
• Opportunity for growth of the industrial base – They want a business with an established base of industrial end users that will represent a diversification for NAS, allowing for continued expansion outside of the water treatment and wastewater areas.
• Opportunity for geographical expansion – They seek businesses with established activity in a local metropolitan market where NAS has no current presence, but which are near an NAS existing regional footprint. It helps if the target is in a position to obtain water treatment and wastewater opportunities, an NAS strength, plus other industrial projects.
However, the above criteria are not intended to be exhaustive, and there may be other dominating factors that move a decision for or against acquisition, including, of course, the negotiated price. The purchase price involved in any acquisition will usually be paid in the form of common stock issued to the owners of the target company. But cash, from cash-on-hand or through credit resources, may also be part of future agreements.
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National Automation Services (NASV.PK) Presenting At I&C Expo 2010
National Automation Services, provider of process automation control solutions, is presenting at the I&C (Instrument & Controls) Expo 2010, today in San Diego. Among other things, the company will demonstrate their ARCFlash solution package and instrumentation stands. The expo, a one-day event, is San Diego County’s only instrumentation and controls exposition, and displays the latest process measurement, control, and automation technologies. It also provides seminars and workshops. The event had record attendance last year, and has been expanded for this year.
National’s presentation will include the following:
ARCFLASH Solution Package:
• Development and Updates of One-Lines
• Short Circuit and Arc Flash Analysis and Evaluation
• Generation/Application of Warning Labels
• NFPA 70E Safety Awareness Training
• Short Circuit and Coordination Analysis
• Development of proper PPE requirement point by point, work procedures and floor stripes
NAS Instrumentation Stand Benefits:
• Standardized Design
• Corrosion Resistance
• High Level of Environmental Protection
• Sun Shield Availability
• Variety of Sizes
• Submittal Cut-Sheets
• Published Pricing
National has earned a strong reputation in the process automation control industry, providing advanced materials handling systems for some of the biggest names in the country. The company is now looking to expand, both industrially and geographically, by acquiring carefully chosen small to medium sized privately-held industrial automation companies around the country. National sees the I&C Expo as a major opportunity for exposure, both with industry professionals and prospective customers. It could also represent a chance to identify new acquisition prospects.
For more information on NAS, see the company’s website at www.NASAutomation.com, or visit www.ICExpo10.com for information on the Expo.
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National Automation Services, Inc. (NASV.PK) Takes The High Road
Unlike far too many companies, National Automation Services has taken the initiative to establish in writing a code of conduct well beyond the typical employee handbook “don’t steal paperclips” rules and restrictions. It recognizes and deals up front with many of the foundational weaknesses that seem to have colored corporate America in recent decades, as well as focusing as much on executives as it does on staff. Evidence of its intent is made clear by Mark Twain’s famous quotation displayed at the very top: “Always do right – this will gratify some, and astonish the rest.”
Take a look at some of the issues specifically addressed:
• Problem Reporting & Resolution – If you have knowledge of any activity that is or might be a violation of the company’s standards of business conduct, you must report that activity promptly to your supervisor or management. Harassment of, or retaliation against, an employee for making a disclosure is prohibited by company policy. Reports to their Human Resource manager may be made anonymously.
• Conflict Of Interest – All employees must conduct themselves with the highest standards of integrity, honesty, and fairness to avoid any conflict between their personal interests and the interests of the company. National Automation has an obligation to its customers, suppliers and shareowners to ensure that business decisions are based on quality, price, delivery, and supplier experience and reputation. Business decisions must not be influenced by personal considerations or interests.
• Gifts & Gratuities – National Automation and its employees and supporting representatives must conduct business with all our customers, subcontractors, suppliers, distributors and others on the basis of service, quality, performance and price without giving or accepting anything of value that could influence or appear to influence the outcome of a transaction.
• Accurate Books & Records – No false, misleading or artificial entries may be made in the books and records of the company. Records and books must be maintained in accordance with good accounting practice and all laws and regulations, and adhere to all GAAP and SEC rules and regulations. All costs must be accurately and completely recorded in an auditable manner. National Automation Services has a responsibility to shareholders, employees, customers and suppliers, and the communities where we live and work.
• Insider Trading – “Inside information” is information that is not available to the public and is “material”. “Material information” is information that a reasonable investor would likely consider important in deciding whether to purchase or sell our stock. It is National Automation policy and good business to obey the laws of every country where we do business. And it’s not fair to trade using internal information not known to other investors.
• Respect For Others – National Automation will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or physical or verbal threats, all of which deny employees the opportunity to contribute to the best of their abilities and deprive the company of their full talents. Integrating the unique attributes and talents of a diverse workforce allows for greater flexibility and creativity in the workplace and in the community.
It’s true that words are cheap. But it’s also clear that the above words, created and made public by NAS, show an understanding and appreciation of business ethics that, if applied by every company, would have gone a long way toward preventing some of America’s highest profile business scandals. And, as recent history has shown, that’s anything but cheap.
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National Automation Services (NASV.PK) Expanding on Foundation of Water
Although they have now branched out to a wide range of applications, National Automation Services built much of its reputation in the automation and process controls industry with municipal and district water control systems in Arizona. Their consistent ability to provide the diversified technologies necessary to meet strict government regulations has given them a foundation that they are now using to expand both vertically and geographically.
Some of their early successes include the following:
• Yuma Mesa Irrigation (Pump Station and SCADA Upgrade) – NAS designed and implemented a SCADA and PLC based control system for Yuma Mesa Irrigation District. The PLC controlled the pump station and after bay gate control. Based on the after bay level, the PLC calculated and totalized flow inside of the PLC. The PLC was connected to the Watermaster and Dispatcher’s SCADA PC site approximately 18 miles away via a spread spectrum radio network. The SCADA package was programmed to control the pump station, after bay gate, and produce water usage reports for the Watermaster. The SCADA PC also has remote dialing capabilities on an alarm condition.
• City of Cottonwood, Arizona (Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade) – This was a Design Build project in which NAS was responsible for all instrumentation and control systems engineering, radio communications, PLC and SCADA programming, documentation and O&M manual generation. Cottonwood’s system architecture consists of Modicon Quantum and Momentum PLC’s, Grayhill radios, and iFix SCADA software.
• City of Avondale, Arizona (Master SCADA System) – NAS was responsible for the programming and implementation of a Wonderware Master SCADA system at Avondale’s Coldwater Springs Booster Station. The system integrates various remote sites using Modicon PLC’s, MDS radios, and Wonderware InTouch Systems.
• Town of Gilbert, Arizona (West San Tan Lift Station) – This project consisted of panel fabrication, calibration of flow meters and pressure transmitters, startup of analytical equipment, programming of Modicon Momentum PLC in Concept, programming and design of Magelis touchscreens, O&M manuals, and startup and commissioning.
• City of Peoria, Arizona (Beardsley Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion) – The scope of work for this project consisted of an Intellution SCADA Upgrade, control panel fabrication, various instrumentation configurations, VFD configurations, commissioning and startup, and finally, creating O&M Manuals. During the project, several problems arose that required NAS to redesign both the blower control systems and the SCADA communications network. Communications and control modules were added to the blowers for them to operate per specifications. Existing control panels were modified. Fiber to Ethernet converters were installed. NAS performed the programming and integration associated with the PLC’s and Intellution iFix SCADA System.
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